This space holds words of love written just for you. Here you'll find the faces of creativity, beauty, love, kindness, abundance, receptivity and and a flourishing search for joy.

"Love.. focuses on the goodness of life in all its expressions and augments that which is positive. Loving is a state of being. It is a way of relating to the world that is forgiving, nurturing, and supportive. Love is not intellectual and does not proceed from the mind. Love emanates from the heart. It has the
capacity to lift others and accomplish great feats because of
its purity of motive." David Hawkins

My Story..
At one time in my life, change was something I longed for. Loving everything that was new and different, I would seek out ways to rework my life. I made so many new friends, traveled, went back to school, changed careers and homes, sometimes moving as often as every two years. As a student and then a school teacher, the fall had that familiar allure of a fresh new start, new scribblers, and sharpened pencils. With time, my life began to settle, tuck in, and become steadily more predictable. There was a calm feeling surrounding this illusion of permanence and a freedom available in consistency that I had never known before. Children brought with them a busy but stable and peaceful life.

However, the only thing that one can ever know for certain is that nothing ever stays the same. People move, families shift and separate, and loved ones pass away. This very lack of permanence in life is what makes every fleeting, joyful moment so precious.

At this stage in my life, change carries with it a sense of uncertainty and sometimes even the fear of loss. What was once so reliable has become much less so. My last move to a new home was made with the heartfelt mindset that this was a positive change toward a beautiful new life. Every small detail was carefully considered, each interior and exterior decor item, piece of furniture, and work of art was selected with the intent that it would reflect on the outside the new person that I had become on the inside.

Yet, despite having lovingly created this new home, once finished I experienced an unexpected sense of anxiety and fear. I’ve learned that all major life changes, even positive ones, bring with them a requisite emotional shift that can’t be escaped. In the midst of these new life circumstances, how does one recapture that sense of peace and confidence?

After countless pages read, I’ve found that the only way I’ve been able to recapture that sense of peace is by celebrating each moment in life and taking the time to appreciate small moments that I once took for granted. Breathing deeply, sitting next to my warm puppy while watching the sunrise in magical tones, enables me to renew that feeling of being grounded again.

Simple gratitude meditation on what one can see and feel at a moment in time sharpens the camera’s lens on this truth: The only certainty we ever really have is in the here and now. Anxiety is founded on fear of the future and longing looks with regret at the past. It is only by anchoring ourselves firmly in the moment, rejoicing in what we have right now, that we can truly be free. For only deep within each of us is the permanence, stability, and peace we crave.

Only by looking within that can one get back in touch with a calm resonance that is lasting and unshakable; one must truly find and love one’s self.

I don’t know what will come next; with each melting winter’s snow I only know that a new and vibrant spring is unfolding. What this new season will bring with it I can never know for certain, but I’m facing forward with eager anticipation, knowing I can either embrace or withstand everything that comes my way. What do I know for certain? That the love I have for my family, my friends, and, most of all, myself is at the core of the truth that I seek.

So i finally got the time to creep through your blog. I love it. I loved it so much that I had to pause and play Eric Satie’s Gymnopedies while going through it. Everything is just so calm and relaxing. There’s comfort in every blog. I was just wondering where you live. Everything’s so picturesque. I think I’m going to love it there.ReplyCancel

Just A SmidgenJuly 2, 2011 - 6:28 am

Thanks so much for taking the time to peek around my blog! Eric Satie’s Gymnopedies was the first piece of classical music that captured my attention as a young girl, so it would be appropriate accompanying music:) Blogging is new for me this year, I just needed a place to write. What an unexpected gift it is was to discover that I could also make connections with other bloggers! I live in Alberta… not always the most picturesque community, but I always look for the “beautiful” wherever I am. You would love the people here, that’s for certain!ReplyCancel

How lovely to “meet” you! I appreciate your visiting my blog, all the more because it introduced me to your beautiful site. I’ll greatly enjoy regular visits to it to luxuriate in the shared interests as expressed through your artful sensibility.
Ahhh, Alberta. My spouse and I just ended (reluctantly) a wonderful dozen years of living part-time in Edmonton while he was conducting Pro Coro Canada there. While his work here in north Texas made it too difficult to maintain that beloved connexion properly, we will always revisit Alberta when we get the chance; we loved Edmonton, and we especially love the wonderful people with whom we’ve connected up there over those years.
I’m looking forward to getting to know you better, too, through your thoughtful and uplifting (and tasty!) blog.
Cheers!
KathrynReplyCancel

I wanted to thank you for stopping by and adding me, I have just did the same with yours, what I have seen I love! Want to have some time to explore some more! I love your picture you use for your gavatar (?) It seems you have an eye with the camera too! I cannot wait to come back….RaeDiReplyCancel

Thank you for subscribing to my blog. I’ve only recently started so this is all new to me. I LOVE your blog and I’m definitely going to try your granola (and probably many more of your recipes).
Rhoda :O)ReplyCancel

I’m SO happy you found my blog, as it brought me to yours… I’ve been reading and “oohing & aahing” around here for the last 30 minutes or so and I’m sure I’ll be here for a while longer. I love your perspective, your photos, and I can’t wait to try MANY of your recipes!

I discovered your blog recently via another blog, and I just have to comment that I LOVE your header picture at the top of the page – and the pomegranate seeds along the side – it’s just gorgeously apetizing – all the colors and objects – wonderful! I look forward to reading more of your posts!ReplyCancel

Well, it’s so nice to meet you as well! I’ll pop over to your blog for a visit:) Thanks re the header, I just love having a blog… photography, writing, cooking,… everything I love all wrapped up together!ReplyCancel

I’m so glad you found my little corner of “bloggy world”:) Thanks so much!ReplyCancel

Susan SchalinNovember 26, 2011 - 10:59 am

Hello Smidgen,
I’ve been searching the internet to try to get copies of all of the media and excitement surrounding the Field of Cross project. I am making a personal book capturing this excitement and I’m hoping you won’t mind if I use your blog comments and photos in my book. Your blog was very touching.ReplyCancel

I’d be honored.. always great to get a shout-out from someone… Is this for a particular cause? I guess you must be a Calgarian? So many questions, drop me an email with detail?? http://www.bjbamber@shaw.caReplyCancel

Thanks for visiting my blog– because now I know about YOURS! Beautiful photography and I love the fun cookie sidebars! Our dogs are very much a like as well- I love that you put him/her in your header 🙂 Nice to “meet” you!ReplyCancel

I love your blog…..it’s so beautiful, I feel so fuzzy n warm afterwards, and really inspired to have a great day!
I will make your gingerbread recipe so we can take it on our skiing trip during the holidays, and tuck into some deliciousness on the slopes xReplyCancel

Hello Barbara! Thank you so much for visiting my blog and following me! Your comment made me smile from ear to ear! It’s wonderful to receive such a nice compliment. I’m also awed by your beautiful snowy photography – I’ll be sure to keep tabs on your blog from now on!

Hi! I love your blog! I came across it when I read Spree’s post last evening and also today when I was reading Cork and Spoon! I can’t wait to look around some more and I look forward to following you! Have a great day!ReplyCancel

I just got a chance to look through your blog. It is absolutely STUNNING! Your photos and the layout and everything are so, for a lack of a better description, romantic. It’s like this regal beautiful little world and I love some of your accompanying artwork, like the orange tea drawings. So creative, so beautiful. I think I am in love!ReplyCancel

Hi Barbara!
I really like your blog, that’s why I’m passing along to you some awards and a meme. This was really fun for me; I hope you enjoy the experience too. But feel free to accept it or not and/or pass it along to others.
Here’s the link, http://bluejellybeans.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/awards/
Have a nice day 🙂ReplyCancel

What a gorgeous blog you have Smidge. I truly enjoyed visiting and I love your cutie up there as well. He is just too adorable! As far as food goes, I am not a big eater but I sure do love the yummies you made and I can tell you one thing…if I ever would come and visit I would be rolling back to South Africa! LOL! Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog. Very much appreciated. 🙂
Now it’s time for me to start cleaning the house. It’s Monday! LOL!
Have an awesome day. 🙂
*hugs*ReplyCancel

After staring at your header, I was reading through your recipes, salivating, and came to the end, where it said you took the pictures!!! I was blown away as they are so stunning, I would have put money on them being professionally shot…and I look at a lot of pictures in great detail!! Your recipes look scrumptious and so does your site! Well done!!ReplyCancel

Such a delightful and delicious combination of sights, sounds, and tastey bits of literary morsels. As a AVID coffeeholic, your blog is such a delicious treat for the heart, mind, and soul! I will be back often, truly enjoyed my lengthy visit today. Gorgeous imagery as well!ReplyCancel

I love your blog! I cook, but do not consider it one of life’s greatest pleasures. Your cooking is indeed an art form and your blog makes me drool! Your photos are lovely too, especially the cake! You know which one I mean. I pinned it to my “I Love” board on pinterest with a note to check out your blog. Thanks for following mine!ReplyCancel

Hi Barbara, Smidgen–I finally got to your lovely site. It is beautiful–and–what a shock to see some video of me leading the orchestra in Calgary!!! Oh, we sounded good, no? I miss doing that. All the best to you!! Linda from the Salish Sea PlayersReplyCancel

my dear smidge, I’ve lost your email address. how did that happen? (you have mine, so write me, ok?) but wanted to share this lovely with you and this was the best way i could think to do it in the short term. xoxo Spree

Hi Barbara! Thank you so much for following my blog! I really appreciate it. I just wanted to leave a little comment to tell you what a great job you’ve done with your blog here. It’s calm, soothing, and you have a very refreshing way of writing! All the very best to you in the future!ReplyCancel

I have enjoyed reading your blog and have nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award as your recipes are always illuminating, informative and mouthwatering. Thanks for taking the time to share. 🙂 More information is available at http://remcooks.com/awardsacknowledgments/ReplyCancel

Hello Smidge
Thanks for your lovely comment on my little blog. I just thought I would let you know that my blog has moved and is now bighungrygnomes.co.uk. Unfortunately, if you want to remain subscribed to my blog, you will have re-subscribe to this new address. I realise this is a little bit of a nuisance but I would really appreciate your continuing support and interest in my blog
Thanks
FionaReplyCancel

Dear Barbara,
Many thanks for following our blog and liking my restaurant review: much appreciated.
Your blog is beautiful and you have some phenomenal recipes – I particularly like your desserts: so yummy!
Also, I hope one day to be able to pay a visit to your hometown as I love skiing and I love Canada!
Take careReplyCancel

Barbara, congratulations!!! I’ve nominated you for the Reality Blog and Sensual Blogging Awards. I’m so glad that I found your beautiful blog this year with the great poems, stories and artistic photos! Simply beautiful!ReplyCancel

Hello Barbara,
Hope you don’t mind me barging in like this. My first visit to your blog and it was totally enjoyable – such variety and so well organized and presented – a wonderful distraction from the everyday ordinary. Best to you.
PaulReplyCancel

I hope you will participate in this exciting award. The rules of the award are:
1 Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.
2 Acknowledge that blogger on your blog and link back.
3 Share 7 random things about yourself.
4 Nominate 7 or more blogs with the award, a link to their blogs in your post, and notify them on their blogs.
5 Copy and paste the award on your blog somewhere.ReplyCancel

Hello! I just stumbled upon your beautiful haven of a blog, and don’t want to leave! You creations and your photography are just wonderful. As a foodie, I was instantly drawn to your recipes section which is such a wide and varied collection! I can’t wait to see what you create in 2013.ReplyCancel

Happy New Year to you! I hope it is not too late to wish you a wonderful New Year. May 2013 bring you more happiness, love, and success. I would like to thank you because you continue following my blog. I hope my short stories and poems do not disappoint and that your visits in there have been a joyful ride. Thank you again, many blessings and much love to you, Barbara.. 🙂

Hi Barbara, I’ve nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award. There’s no obligation to accept or re-post it, this is just my way of saying ‘I enjoy reading your posts and love your pictures and recipes’.

So glad you visited my blog so that I could be introduced to yours. It’s absolutely lovely, and I can tell that you are also. Looking forward to following and learning and enjoying! http://ohtheplaceswesee.comReplyCancel

If you want to add your food blog to the list and have your recipes indexed on Canadiandishes.com all you have to do is follow the instructions here: http://www.canadiandishes.com/add-your-food-blog
Our concept is already live in Mexico, US, France, Italy and Spain amongst others. We deliver thousands of visitors to food blogs daily. Some of the top food blogs receive 10,000+ visitors from us on a weekly basis.

We hope you will join us and your food blog will be up there in the top!

I just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award because I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog over the past couple months! You don’t necessarily need to do anything, but you can view my post to see the rules and nominate blogs you like!ReplyCancel

Hi Barbara!
I’ve nominated you for the lovely blogger award! You may do whatever you’d like with the award. Personally, I’ve decided to nominate only one blog per award because of the amount of time the process takes of dealing with awards. I’m always honored, but then, it’s work. So I won’t be insulted if you do nothing.
here is the link: http://chefmimiblog.com/2013/04/05/awards/
But truly, you have the loveliest blog. period.
mimiReplyCancel

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenApril 5, 2013 - 9:41 pm

Mimi.. Thank you so much, this is so sweet of you! It is always an honor to win an award, to even be mentioned by another blogger is truly a gift I cherish. Thank you so much! This was a sweet surprise tonight! xx Smidge\Barb;)ReplyCancel

I found your blog through another blogger, I. just love all the beauty you share, the blog you don’t want to stop reading! I can’t find a way to subscribe or follow. I left my Gmail above this post, would love to subscribe!ReplyCancel

Barbara BamberMarch 7, 2014 - 1:13 pm

Oh, dear.. if you click on any of the single posts, over on the right side look under my photo, then down under all the pink dots, below that is a search box and below that subscribe.. which makes me think I need to move that box up to the top, lol! I’m so glad you’ve stopped by to visit! Let me know if subscribing that way works asap. If there’s an issue I’ll get it fixed!! xxReplyCancel

Thanks so much for recently stopping by my blog! I am thoroughly enjoying looking at yours. I love the beautiful photos and recipes and look forward to checking out the other categories as well.ReplyCancel

Hello!
Stumble upon your blog and can’t leave without saying how much I love it. It’s simply beautiful. Just started a website of my own and yours took my breath away. Amazing job, can’t wait to read through more posts.ReplyCancel

AnnJanuary 10, 2015 - 6:39 pm

Hi Smidge,
I love your blog, it’s so creative, fun and colourful. The snowflakes are so delicate! Wow, you are quite the artist on lots of levels.
I am an aspiring blogger. In fact, I am taking a creative writing course and one of my assignments is to set up a blog. I am still trying to figure out how to set up the writing portion. With a wide range of experience from nursing to teaching English over seas, along with a B.A., life experience and now aspiring writer. I am not sure where or how to start. I would like to include pictures I have taken. Any ideas?
Then, I would like to post some very short stories like 200 to 400 words. Is there a way of doing that so that others can read them but not copy and past them or pictures elsewhere?
Thanks.ReplyCancel

Thanks, Ann. A creative writing course would really tie into a blog for sure. I find lots of inspiration from the photographs I take. For instance, I went snowshoeing for the first time and I will be using some of those photos together with some poetry later this week. So, nature to photography then to the writing.. that’s sort of the order for me a lot of the time. Keeping short stories copywritten can be a challenge. On the back end of your blog you get referral links if anyone shares your work (linking back to you). I don’t mind if people share a photo and a link, that helps people discover my blog. Only once or twice I’ve found the entire post copied and I wrote a direct email asking them to take it down. This is rare and the people who do this don’t often have enough of a following to keep going so they just disappear over time. Just get out there and start publishing and worry about that if/when it happens. Good luck!! Let me know your blog link!!ReplyCancel

Hi Barb,
After all this time I have finally gotten around to reading your “about” page, and it’s beautifully done. You are one wonderfully creative lady. I’ve always appreciated your ideas about decorating…, and cooking, and the pics and poetry.
Best to you.
PaulReplyCancel